A long time ago, before I became a Dad to my two awesome kids (and also long before I was writing), I had the opportunity to travel through Canada and the United States with three of my best friends in this band called The Monoxides. We played with some great bands, met a tonne of great people and put out a few records. Then we grew up, had kids, got jobs and other stuff.
In a couple of weeks time (Sunday September 1, to be exact), we are going to be playing our first show in almost three years and it couldn’t be for a better reason:
Our friend Darren O’Donnell, a long time supporter and an amazing friend of the band is currently in the midst of a battle with cancer that I am 110% confident that he is going to come out on the winning side of. This show we are playing on September 1 is a benefit show where all proceeds are going to support Darren and his family during these trying times.
The Monoxides decided to forego our usual performance fee of one trillion dollars because Darren is that good of a guy.
One of the first times I met Darren, it would have been in the mid-90’s when he was DJ’ing at a now long-gone bar in Downtown Moncton called Fat Tuesday’s. The band played there on a couple of occasions (and had a great time doing so) and it was from there that our friendship grew. And so, over the course of the last 18 years, I have had the pleasure of knowing Darren and can easily say that not only is he one of the sweetest, nicest and most genuine guys that you could ever meet, he’s a great Dad to his son too.
So here’s the deal: Sunday September 1 at the OC (700 Main Street, Downtown Moncton), The Monoxides will be playing with our pals Tracy Starr. It’s going to be a magical evening of music, all for a guy who has so much of his life ahead of him still. It’s the Labour Day long weekend too so you might not even have to work the next day. Come get messy with the rest of us for an excellent cause.
Here is the Facebook event page. If you can’t make the show but would like to donate some money to help support Darren, head on over to this Paypal link where you can make a donation.
Fuck cancer.
See y’all on September 1.
The first time I read something that you wrote was a piece on Butch’s “Sychamore Meadows” release. I loved the way that got the msg over. Loud and clear. I just felt better after I read. It’s as cut and dry as that for me. Upon reading this it made me smile and reflect a bit. I was never great at taking compliments, especially ones that where heartfelt and or genuine. Today, I will accept what you wrote about me and I will hold my head up a little bit higher. With pride in tow. ~Dude
OooooH the love for you all right now… Dude dude dude dude dude it’s going to be an epic evening. I feel like saying congratulations, but that can’t be right? Well yes, congrats for the high head and having this somehow turn into a musical BASH with all your friends; you are one classy guy. Great poster and article; you must be so excited. Have an amazing time, love you, niki